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Study reveals increases
in van rollovers
By Diana Swanson
Staff
Writer
In recent years, there's been an increase in reports
of rollover accidents regarding 12- and 15-passenger vans.
Although Purdue has not had any accidents with
its fleet of passenger vans, a study conducted by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration shows these vehicles are more prone to
rollovers as the number of passengers increases.
On April 9, the safety administration issued a
"Consumer Advisory" to notify the users of 12- and 15-passenger vans
of possible rollover dangers.
The administration's study shows the van's center
of gravity shifts to a higher position as the number of passengers increases,
therefore, making the vehicle unstable and escalating the chance of
rollover in single-vehicle accidents.
As a precautionary measure, Purdue has implemented
a new policy that prohibits the use of their 15-passenger vans for transporting
more than eight people off campus.
Purdue houses a fleet of 15 large passenger vans,
each seating up to 15 people, which are primarily used for field trips
by student organizations and sporting clubs.
The University plans to remove seats in its current
15-passenger vans, in addition to purchasing several new eight-passenger
vans.
"We're keeping an appropriate level of vans for
use day in and day out," said James Almond, vice president of business
services and assistant treasurer at Purdue.
"When there's and increase in activity, we have
contracts with rental companies to provide us with more vans," he said.
In addition, Almond commented that renting vans,
when necessary, saves the University money because Purdue forfeits the
cost and upkeep of owning a vehicle.
Although there may be an increased inconvenience
associated with a lower passenger capacity, Almond is optimistic.
"Certainly this becomes an inconvenience because
you have to use two vans now instead of one, but in turn, it's much
safer," he said.
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